Dynamics of Urok Practice: Metaphor of Bagos’ Mutuality and

Solidarity

Rudolf T. Vecaldorudolfvecaldo@gmail.com

Instructor, College of Teacher EducationCagayan State University

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines

Background of the Study

• Understanding Philippine society through the study of Filipino cultures composite in the life of the indigenous communities

• No study conducted on the Urok practice

• Results may inspire credence on the inquiry of the diverse strengths in indigenous people’s character

Objectives

• Draw the meaning of the Urok practice

• Trace the evolution of the Urok practice

• Determine the role of Urok practice in enhancing Bagos’ group solidarity and mutuality

• Identify the tenets of social life revealed in Urok that describe the strength of indigenous Filipino character

Theoretical Framework

Functionalism

Interdependence Equilibrium Cooperation Consensus

Durkheim's Social Solidarity Theory

mechanical organic

Methods

• Descriptive-qualitative Design

• Fieldwork

• Interview

• Observation

• Case Analysis

• Documentary Analysis

Study Setting: Casigayan, Tabuk,

Kalinga

Results and Discussion

Meaning of Urok

Marriage Hospitalization Death

50 Pesos and 2 kilograms of

rice per household

Any amount per household

20 Pesos or 1 Caltex of rice per household

Urok in the personal life of a Bago

Tulong (Help)

Urok in the social life of the Bagos

Pannakikaddua (Companionship)

Meaning of Urok

Evolution of Urok

UROK ON DEATH

(ORAL AGREEMENT)

UROK ON DEATH

(CALTEX ORGANIZATION)

UROK ON DEATH

(BAGNOS SARANAY)

UROK ON

MARRIAGE

UROK ON

HOSPITALIZATION

Before 1947 1947 1979

1990’sLatest development

Mechanical Organic

•Depiction of harmonious relationship between and among the people in times of merriment

Urok on Marriage

Role of Urok in Enhancing the Bagos’ Group Solidarity and Mutuality

Urok on Hospitalization

•Evidence of the Bagos’ socio-cultural sense of genuine mutual love and value for co-existence

•Contributes to the deepening of a functional social bond

Urok on Death

•Form of moral sympathy extended during the trying moments of grief

•Confirmation of genuine emotional, social and even spiritual support to the coping bereaved family

Tenets of Social Life Revealed in Urok Describing the Strength of

Indigenous Filipino Character

CooperationBenevolence

Thoughtfulness

Self-Sustaining Community

Obedience

•Urok epitomizes how Filipinos value their kakaddua (fellowmen) over self interests.

Conclusion

Urok practice…

(a) bridges social and economic disparities;

(b) reinforces the experience of closeness among the people; and

(c) contributes to the formation of a self-sustaining community.

Recommendations

• Strengthening of the Urok practice

• Conduct of studies in wider perspective, especially covering the anthropological sketch of the Bagos

• Continuous effort in documenting indigenous practices

Impact/Outcomes of the Study

• Intensified effort in upholding the Urok practice

• Greater awareness of other cultural groups on the essence of the Urok practice

• Recognition of the cultural practices of the Bago community

• Integration of the Urok practice in some discussions in the subject “Society and Culture”

BibliographyBasco, Carmen (1956). Two Bago Villages: A Study. University of Manila Journal of East Asiatic Studies, pp. 25-175.

Constitution and by-laws of Urok (Revised 2009)

Durkheim, Emile (1858-1917). Retrieved February 16, 2010, from. http://Durkheim.itgo.com/solidarity.html.

Kottak, Conrad Philip (1991). Cultural Anthropology. 5th Edition, pp.40-47. Me Graw- Hill Inc, pp. 40-47.

Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997

The Bago. Retrieved May 3, 2012, from. http://Saguntostar.com/the-bago/

The Bago Culture. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from. http://kingki.blogsprint.com/list/salaysay/tribal_festival_doc.html.